Happy 27th “Diabolus In Musica”🤘🔥 SLAYER’S 8th studio album released June 9 1998

Happy 27th anniversary to Diabolus in Musica, the eighth studio album by the legendary thrash metal band Slayer! Originally unleashed on June 9, 1998, this album marked a bold and experimental phase in the band’s career, pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories while staying true to the aggression and intensity that defined Slayer’s identity.

By the late ’90s, Slayer had already cemented their reputation as one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. With classics like Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss, the band had carved out a fearsome legacy. However, with Diabolus in Musica, Slayer decided to challenge expectations. The album embraced darker, more groove-oriented riffs and dropped-tuning guitar work—elements that were less traditional in their earlier output but reflected the evolving landscape of heavy music at the time.

The title Diabolus in Musica translates from Latin as “The Devil in Music,” a phrase historically associated with the tritone interval, once considered so dissonant that it was dubbed “the Devil’s chord.” It’s a fitting title, given the album’s sinister atmosphere and brooding soundscapes. Tracks like “Bitter Peace,” “Stain of Mind,” and “Scrum” showcased a heavier, more rhythmic style, with Tom Araya’s vocals weaving between shouted refrains and eerie whispers. Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King’s guitar work remained sharp and aggressive, though now with an added layer of murky depth and experimentation.

At the time of its release, Diabolus in Musica sparked mixed reactions. Some longtime fans were taken aback by its deviation from pure thrash into a sound tinged with elements of nu-metal and groove metal. Yet, others appreciated the band’s willingness to evolve without compromising their dark lyrical themes and brutal delivery. Over the years, the album has come to be seen as a unique and underrated entry in Slayer’s catalog—an audacious step that highlighted the band’s versatility.

Lyrically, Diabolus in Musica maintained Slayer’s signature exploration of violence, corruption, and anti-religious themes. It continued to provoke and challenge, unafraid to venture into controversial and complex territory. The production, helmed by Rick Rubin and Slayer themselves, was polished yet heavy, delivering a dense, unforgiving wall of sound that still resonates nearly three decades later.

Today, 27 years after its release, Diabolus in Musica stands as a testament to Slayer’s refusal to stagnate. While it may not be the first album that comes to mind when fans list the band’s most iconic works, its boldness and dark innovation deserve recognition. It captures a moment in Slayer’s evolution where they took risks—and for that reason, it remains a fascinating chapter in their legacy.

So here’s to 27 years of Diabolus in Musica—a haunting, heavy, and rebellious entry in the Slayer discography. Long live the kings of thrash!